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Self-regulating endless climbing wallRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Having Specific Electrical Feature, Equipment Control, Rate Of MovementSelf-regulating endless climbing wall description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070142176, Self-regulating endless climbing wall. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/597,676, filed Dec. 16, 2005, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to exercise equipment and, in particular, to a simulated climbing wall having a self-adjustment mechanism. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Many exercise and recreational centers are now equipped with simulated climbing walls. Devices of this type include both larger, stationary structures as well as more compact "endless walls." Conventional endless wall climbers consist of large linked panels dressed over upper and lower rollers. The panels have an outer surface with hand-holds or other features that a user `climbs` as the panels rotate. [0004] A drawback of typical linked-panel type climbers is that the rollers are motor-driven, resulting in a piece of equipment which is heavy and expensive to purchase and operate. As such, there have been attempts to provide non-motorized, self-regulating machines. One such piece of equipment is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,877 entitled "Simulated Climbing Wall." This prior-art unit is comprised of a frame, at least two guide members rotatably attached at the top of the frame, and a plurality of climbing wall panels, each being flexibly attached to the next in a continuous chain. The chain structure is adjustable such that the panels may be moved downwardly in a controlled manner as the climber climbs. [0005] In operation, the apparatus of the '877 patent uses an automotive rear axle assembly differential unit including two wheels and brakes. The wheels support the weight of the articulated wall structure and allow the articulated wall structure to move down under the weight of the climber, when the brakes are released. The brakes are normally on and are released when the climber passes a predetermined height on the wall. When the climber passes the predetermined height, a rope attached to the climber's waist through a carabineer becomes taut and lifts a weight, thereby releasing the brake and allowing the panels to move downwardly under the weight of the climber. When the user descends to a sufficient level, the brakes once again engage, allowing the user to ascend the wall. [0006] Another self-regulating device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,422, entitled "Ladder-Climbing Exercise Device." This system includes an inclined flight along which a plurality of rungs are presented in an endless manner. The marginal ends of the rungs are mounted on endless chains which are supported by a frame. The chains are coupled to a fan having a squirrel cage-like rotor. The position of an operator relative to the flight changes the size of a fan aperture to vary the resistance afforded by the device to the climbing motion. [0007] Although these and other prior-art systems attempt to regulate climbing motion without the use of electricity, there nevertheless remain heavy and/or complex. The need therefore remains for a simple, elegant and effective self-regulating endless wall-climbing structure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] This invention improves upon existing simulated climbing walls by providing a self-regulating endless climbing wall. The system comprises a form including upper and lower at least partially cylindrical outer surfaces, a planar forward surface, and an open back surface. A continuous belt includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is disposed in sliding engagement with the cylindrical surfaces and planar forward surface of the form, and the outer surface of the belt includes a plurality of raised features configured for climbing by a user. [0009] A tensioning shoe engages with the inner surface of the belt through the open back surface of the form, and a mechanism, coupled to the tensioning shoe, is operative to a) relieve tension on the belt as a user climbs upwardly, thereby increasing rotational slippage of the belt around the form, and b) increase tension on the belt as a user moves downwardly, thereby reducing or terminating rotational slippage of the belt around the form. [0010] In the preferred embodiment, the tensioning shoe is a generally horizontal bar having a lengthwise convex surface urged against the inner surface of the belt. A pair of pivoting levers are provided, each having one end coupled to a climber and a second end coupled to the tensioning shoe such that, as a climber ascends the belt, the levers are raised, reducing the frictional engagement of the inner surface of the belt against the form, and as a climber moves downwardly on the belt, the levers are lowered, increasing the frictional engagement of the inner surface of the belt against the form. [0011] In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus a stationary frame and a tilting frame upon which the belt is disposed. In this case, the tensioning shoe is supported between the stationary frame and the tilting frame such that the tension of the belt around the form is reduced as a user climbs upwardly and increased as a user moves downwardly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a drawing of the preferred embodiment of the invention seen from an oblique perspective; [0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment; [0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment showing geometrical relationships; [0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention with the belt tensioned as a climber ascends; and [0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 4 with the belt loosening as the climber reaches the upper portion of the belt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION [0017] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows the invention assembled with the climber in position on a climbing surface, and with support frame portions removed for enhanced clarity. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment; and FIG. 3 shows geometrical and mathematical relationships associated with the belt-tensioning system. [0018] The unit comprises a continuous belt 5 having an outer surface with the exposed hand and foot holds 4, and an inner surface against which a tensioning shoe 7 is used to adjust the tension of the belt and, hence, frictional contact between the belt and the form. The invention is not limited in terms of the type, style or number of hand/foot holds 4, and may use any protruding features as desired or required. Indeed, the belt may be provided with mounting holes or grommets so that different holds can be fastened in a variety of arrangements. The belt could also have a series of large holes for climbing hand holds. Continue reading about Self-regulating endless climbing wall... Full patent description for Self-regulating endless climbing wall Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Self-regulating endless climbing wall patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Self-regulating endless climbing wall or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Automated mechanism for collapsing exercise equipment Next Patent Application: Automated physical training system Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Self-regulating endless climbing wall patent info. 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